Sahil: neil... tomorrow is avni birthday and I actually want to invite you to the party I have planned to organise for her

Neil: sahil let it be...you dont have to make any effort as we can plan avni birthday ...you came to enjoy right then do that much only he said with a sarcastic smile

Sahil: I enjoy when I do things for avni...now it's your choice if you want to come or not but I plan to make avni birthday special

neil: do whatever you want sahil but I will make avni birthday special and haan I dont need any sort of invitations that is related to avni as I have full right from the beginning

Sahil: special will be mine only so I would say dont waste your time after all since the past few years I have been planning her birthday..but dont be sad you are surely INVITED from my side as I dont allow anyone to come if I haven't given any invitation

neil looked at sahil and laughed sarcastically with his hands in his pocket shaking his head for a sec

Neil: you may have planned avni birthday for the past few years but before you even came into her life I have been planning her birthay al...and it will be the same this year

Sahil:that we will see neil

Neil:we surely will he said

Avni had sat in as she was messaging juhi and when she looked up she saw sahil still talking with neil

Avni: sahil are we going or not she said a little loudly

Neil and sahil looked at avni and sahil gestured avni *1 min* with his index finger smiling at her and then turned to neil

Sahil:got to go neil as avni is waiting for me...but dont worry you are still invited for the party he said and turned to leave when neil spoke

Neil:she called you because she is getting late for work not becuase she wants to spend time with you he said

Sahil turned at neil and smirked and walked to the car getting in.

Neil waved at avni as she waved at him when the car started to move out

At the police station

Neil was in the cabin, he was leaning back on his chair while been engrossed looking into a case file

Vidyut: neil what is the plan tomorrow for avni birthday?

Neil looked up to see vidyut entering as he walked over to his table and sat down

Neil: well tomorrow I plan to take avni and my family out for dinner and then have a small surprise celebration planned for avni in the condo he said placing the file down

Vidyut: means no invitation for this family of yours ...you just broke our hears bro he said dramatically

Neil chuckled

Neil: come on I said my family vidyut which does have you all in it...I know it's a very simple plan but I know avni will love it as she loves simple things most of the time... plus I will be making it special for her in the condo so I will have all of that sorted

Vidyut: I know I was just kidding...avni does like it when things are done in an special way and simple also is special in her dictionary...  he said

Neil: yup... that's my avni he said more like a whisper but vidyut heard it and smiled

Vidyut: after 3 years we will be with avni on her birthday right... I never thought that this year we will actually have avni besides us and finally your condo also will come in handy. he said

Neil got up and walked over to the window

Neil: you are right vidyut...even I hadnt thought that... but now she is here and I want to make it up to her ...I know it's a very small thing for what i have planned for her but even small things means a lot to avni because that is how she is he said smiling while looking out

Vidyut walked over to neil and squeezed his shoulder

Vidyut: you love her dont you he said neil looked at vidyut straight away not expecting him to say that

But before things could go further dd came calling both about a case that they were on together

At the khanna mansion avni had reached around 6pm and greeted prakash who was sitting in the hall watching tv..she quickly went up and freshened up changing into something comfortable and headed down to the kitchen 

Avni: what's cooking? she asked as she entered and opened the lid of the saucepan to smell some spicy sauce 

Shweta : how does it smell she asked coming closer startling avni for a sec

Avni: amazing as usual

Bebe: it's my recipe which madam madonna used she said

Shweta: but I made it na bebe so the credit does go to me

Avni: wait before this turns into a sweet argument lets stop and tell me what is for dinner and  dessert

Shweta: dinner we are not sure yet but nothing for dessert as bebe cant control when it comes to sweets so we wont be making any

Bebe: haan haan blame it on me and make it as I am the one stopping you...avni puttar at least I can have a bit na but no they think my little bit of sweet food is so much for then...

avni controlled her laugh and cleared her throat

Avni: how about we make sugar free gajar ka halwa and some chilli paneer

Bebe: what is the point it wont be the same like normal gajar ka halwa

Avni: well that you will only know once you taste it

Shweta: are you going to make it?

Avni:yuppp she said grabbing the carrots

Bebe and shweta watched as avni started to make it. After it was done shweta leaned forward to take the smell in and closed her eyes

Shweta: this smells amazing avni

Bebe: move let me try she said and took the aroma in with eyes closed

Avni: what is it like bebe?

Bebe: smells exactly like normal gajar ka halwa

Avni: y dont you taste some she said

Bebe and shweta nodded and grabbed a spoon each blowing it to cool the halwa down a bit

Bebe:puttar y couldnt you make something like this earlier on she said chewing with her eyes closed

Shweta: this is amazing avni...it doesn't even taste like sugar free halwa

Avni: I told you

Bebe: let's get ready to eat now as neil will be late I guess and then I can peacefully eat my halwa...as much as I want she said the last bit while looking at shweta

Both avni and shweta smiled at the way bebe behaved when it came to sweet dish

Shweta: bebe we still need to make chilli paneer

Bebe:, ohhh I come forgot about that comenlets start

Avni: dw you both leave it to me I'll make it

Shweta:but

Avni:I said na I'll make it

Shweta: fine but at least let me make some plain paratha to go with it and I will make that at least

Avni: ok you can do that she said smiling from ear to ear

Later on

neil had arrived around 9:30pm  he saw nobody around until he heard voices from outside...he walked to the garden area to see his family and avni sitting while laughing about something

Shweta: Tillu you came ...freshen up I'll warm up food for you she said

Neil: mom dont worry I will warm it up myself he said and came and sat next to avni giving her a smile which she returned.

Avni: who wants some more halwa? she asked 

All raised their hands except neil

Neil: I understand y others are having a second round of halwa but shouldn't bebe be controlling? he said

Bebe: its sugar free neil but it doesnt taste like that she said licking her lips as if she cant wait to have some more of it

Prakash: avni made it ...you have to try it he said making avni smile more

Neil: ofcourse I will

Avni: I'll get some more she said and headed back in

Prakash, Bebe and shweta turned to see avni go and once she was out of their sight they turned back to neil

Neil: what? he said..confused with their attention on him suddenly

Bebe: tomorrow is avni birthday...have you planned anything so that we can start inviting guest early in the morning

Neil: there will be no guest

Shweta:y? Are we not going to celebrate avni birthday?

Neil: mom for now all you need to know is that just be ready by 6pm tomorrow

Prakash: lo here is he is giving us a surprise by not even telling us he said making neil smile widely

Neil: consider it that way

Bebe:well at least he has planned somethin that is all that matters she said

After a while avni came back with a large bowl of halwa and water...as she sat down near neil she handed him water

Neil:thank you he said while avni gave more halwa to everyone else

Avni: neil do you want some halwa now or later she asked looking at him as she held an empty bowl and spoon waiting for him to respond

Neil: I'll have it after he said placing the glass down on the small table while she nodded and took some out for herself

As avni sat down next to neil she was listening to shweta talk about one of their neighbour and was about to put a spoon full of halwa in her mouth when suddenly she felt her hand been forced to move to her right side turning to see neil holding her wrist as he placed the spoon in his mouth

Avni: i thought you didn't want to eat halwa right now ?

Neil: I didnt i just wanted to taste and see how it is he said shrugging his shoulder

Avni:haan toh I would have given you some in your bowl na

Neil: ab it was only one spoon avni you are acting like i ate the whole thing from your bowl he said while avni glared at him

Avni: that one spoon is just something neil when you love something to the core and someone takes a bit of it from you na it feels like the whole thing has been taken away from you and that is what you did with my amazing halwa.

The smile from neil face fell although avni didnt realise the meaning of her words as she was speaking about the food he somewhere connected the words to her and himself....

Bebe:I agree with avni as our love for food is the same she said with a sad expression making shweta and prakash shake their head with a smile while neil looked up at bebe and then at avni who was smiling

As if sensing neils gaze avni turned her attention to Neil and raised her eyebrows gesturing *what*

Neil:I'll go and freshen up he said making everyone nodd...avni watched him with a frown and then turned her attention back to the rest

15 mins later neil came out of the washroom to see avni wasnt there and thought she must be downstairs still with the rest if they are still talking or in bebe room..

However  he saw avni sitting alone on the dining table while texting on her phone

Neil: avni what are you doing here? have the rest already slept he said looking towards the garden area to see the door closed

Avni:woh I thought I should order some ice cream so just waiting for the waiter to bring my order she said rolling her eyes

Neil: avniiii he said raising his eyebrows

Avni: what avni neil what does someone do at a dining table she said showing  her big eyes to him

Neil:  well normal people eat at the dining table but god knows about you he said sitting down

Avni: well for your kind information I'm normal

Neil:you sure about that?

Avni: neilll she said slapping him on his arm playfully

Neil: ouch ok ok I rest my case he said putting his hand up in surrender mode

avni: you better anyways I'm here so that I can serve you some food she said

Neil :avni that is seriously not needed...you must be tired yourself

Avni:I am but you must be more tired than us because your job is not easy and I enjoy doing all this neil...I'll just warm up some food she said and got up to leave to go the kitchen while neil felt himself falling for her even more

After few mins avni came back with a tray of food and placed it on the table...she took out some food in neils plate and sat next to him..neil took a bite of the paneer and was about to open his mouth to speak when avni raised her finger

Avni:before you ask y am I still here after serving you then that is because I want to sit here and give you company so that you dont feel alone and just in case if you need anything

Neil:well I wasnt going to say anything like that except that the food tastes amazing and that you have become a better cook than us he said smiling warmly at her

Avni: how did you know that I made it?

Neil: because I know how bebe and mom food taste and also its not like you have cooked for the first time he said

Avni:well then thank you for the compliment she said smiling widely

Neil started eating while avni watched him for few secs and then decided to reply back to The messages on her phone and also talking to neil now and then as he was talking about his case

After some time once nei finished his dinner he was eating the halwa that avni had taken out in a small bowl

Neil: avni

Avni:hmm she said while still looking at something on her phone

Neil: been your bestfriend and husband I guess I do have the rights to share things with you...even if that is some halwa

Avni looked up at neil but before she can realise neil stuffed a spoon of halwa in her mouth

Avni:what was that for she said chewing while giving him a small cute puppy look

Neil:I had some halwa from yours so can it be that I don't share from mine

Avni: ohh she said looking at neil to see him eating the halwa with a smile.

Once neil was done he lifted his plates up when avni stopped him

Neil:what happened he said as avni stood up

Avni: leave the plates neil I will take it

Neil: you made food, stayed awake to still serve me and give me company... that is enough for me avni he said tapping her cheeks lightly and walked to the kitchen..

Avni grabbed the other bowls and walked into the  kitchen to see neil had already started washing

Avni: neil leave it I'll wash up please

Neil:chill avni it's only few things besides when we stayed together during college days we all distributed all the house work right...so I can even do the same thing he said

Avni listend as she placed the remaining food in the fridge

Neil: there you go all done.

Avni: did you wash the dishes just as a favour? Before she could realise what she said she watched neil with a frown on his face

Neil at first didnt say anything and walked to avni...he held her shoulder

Neil: favours are done for outsiders not for your close family members...whatever I do for you or my family will never be a favour but something that I'll do from heart he said as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear smiling at her warmly

Avni looked at neil and smiled at him

Avni: I'm sorry for even asking such question

Neil: you should be now never think that I will do anything as a favour ok he said pinching her nose making avni move his hands away

Avni: dont doo that she said rubbing her nose

Neil:ok let's go and sleep now he said

Avni: already?

Neil: haan it's time to sleep na he said but somewhere he noticed a small disappointed look on her face

Avni : yup let's goo she said and started to walk ahead

Neil followed avni

Neil( in his head) avni I know you must be thinking that i probably would have stayed awake to wish you later and I promise to wish you before anyone else does that is a promise.

As soon as they entered the room neil closed the door while avni placed her phone on the side table and got onto her side of the bed

Neil: good night avni he said as he laid down on his side and turned of the lights not looking at avni

Avni( in her head) here I thought you would stay awake or at least mention about my birthday but nothing...what if neil has forgotten my birthday..I mean it can be possible right becuase for 3 years I wasnt here and due to that it just slipped out of his mind...I shouldn't hope much..maybe when others wish me he will remeber then...sleep avni sleep dont stress yourself out

Avni: good night neil she said and closed her eyes thinking he will probably wish her later on

Neil had his eyes closed all this time however he kept making sure to check the time on the clock  now and then to see the time.

As the clock showed 23:59pm he slowly turned around to see avni's  back facing towards him...moving closer to her he sat up and leaned his face down

Neil: avni he whispered in her ear but no response

He tried again few times when avni shuffled in her sleep

Avni: what she said in a sleepy tone looking at neil for a sec and then closed her eyes...neil looked at the clock to see it show exact 12am

Neil: happy birthday chatterbox he whispered in avni ear

Avni slowly opened her to make sure she heard correctly and sat up after few seconds

Neil: happy birthday chatterbox he said again moving her hair to the side which was falling on her face

Avni eyes widened

Avni: you remembered?

Neil: what made you think that I would forget he said frowning slightly

Avni:no I mean for 3 years I hadnt been here so I thought....she said leaving her sentence incomplete

Neil took avni hand and held it

Neil: I can never forget your birthday avni no matter how far you are, how angry I was I could never forget because you have that place in my life which nobody will be able to remove he said

Avni smiled as she felt her eyes getting teary she hugged neil

Avni: thank you so much neil...I am honestly blessed to have you in my life she said

Neil smiled widely as he hugged her even more tightly

Suddenly avni phone started to ring making her and neil break the hug

As avni picked up the phone she saw it was sahil calling and answered it to see the rest of the family members and also the  gang was added on to the call  however before anyone could wish her first sahil wished her quickly

Sahil:happy birthday avniii he said

Avni:thank you sahil she said with a smile while neil rolled his eyes but he caught avni by surprise when he pulled her closer to him

Neil:let me hold the phone for you avni he said taking the phone and held it in a way to show both their face

Avni: um thanks she said and turned her attention back to the others when they all shouted happy birthday.

Avni:thank you so so much she said smiling from ear to ear

Ali:we thought we will get to wish you but here sahil beat us to it

Sahil: as usual I wanted to be the first one to wish you he said smiling widely

Neil: well sorry to break the bubbles but I was the first one to wish avni he said giving a smirk

Vidyut: that's like my boy he shouted making juhi playfully slap his arms while the smile from sahil face dropped hearing what neil said

Aladdin:ok ok now let champ rest we all can wish her properly later on.. champ happy birthday

Avni:thank you crackpot

Once all ended the call avni placed her phone down when suddenly the door opened making avneil jump a bit and turn towards the door to see bebe, prakash and shweta walk in and shout

"Happy birthday av" but all 3 stopped when they saw avni already awake

Shweta: lo she is already awake over here and we thought she is asleep

Bebe:I told you to hurry up but you just didnt listen

Shweta: bebe how am I at fault she said pouting

Bebe: if you had woken up early we would have gotten to wish avni

Shweta:haan so I'm sure only neil has wished her and next it will be us right prakash ji

Prakash: right he said

Avni: are you all going to wish me or not she said getting their attention

Bebe:of course beta we were...happy birthday avni puttar may this birthday fully all your wishes

Avni:thank you bebe

Shweta: happy birthday avniiii she said moving towards avni and hugged her

Avni:thank you shwetsi

Prakash: happy birthday puttar ji

Avni: thank you papa

Bebe: chalo we will go and sleep now ...I'm sure the others will call you still right

Avni: bebe actually they just called few mins ago

Bebe looked at avni and then glared at shweta

Bebe: sunny I'm not including shweta next time when we have to wish avni

Shweta:bebe it's not my fault if I wasnt able to wake up na

Bebe:, haan the fault is ours that you couldnt wake up early for such occasion

Avni:ok enough enough it doesnt matter who wished as all that matters Is that you all took time out to wish me and that is all I wanted so thank you she said

All smiled warmly at avneil and left the room

Avni: lets sleep now ...goodnight neil

Neil: goodnight birthday girl he said

The next day

Neil woke up and stretched his arms when he stopped midway seen avni sitting near the window while starting at something in her hand

He frowned and slowly got up walking towards her, as he reached near he saw avni holding onto a frame that had ashish and and ayesha in the pic and nostalgic is what he felt seen their picture

Neil moved forward and sat on the beanbag near the window...his heart pained to see avni looking at the picture with sadness as a long tear rolled down her eyes

Neil: avni? He said calling out to her as he placed his hand on hers

Avni looked up startled..she quickly wiped her tears and got up placing the frame down

Avni: I didnt know you woke up..I will quickly go and have a Bath ok she said walking towards the wardrobe and was searching for something she wasnt sure about only to be turned around by neil.

Neil: you dont have to hide how you feel avni...you know that right

Avni looked at neil with a smile but slowly that smile left while her eyes started to fill up

Avni: I wish if they were still here neil she said in a breaking tone

Neil swallowed the lump and pulled avni in his arm as she allowed her hand to warp around him

Neil: we cant change the past avni...we can be happy with their memories and hope that they are watching all of us with a smile

Avni:I try to think that way...but...but it never works neil...I miss them she said sobbing

Neil: we all do chatterbox but do you think they will be happy that their avni is upset on her birthday no right

Avni: I know they wont be happy and I try to make myself smile but everyday  I think about them especially this day after all I'm in this world because of them and now my own parents are not with me

Neil hugged avni tightly

Neil: they are avni ...they are...their blessing is with you too we just never know in what way but they are always here..they are in your heart he said and rubbed her back as he heard her try to control a loud sob

Avni didnt say anything except that her tears never stopped and neil didnt want to say more to make her feel more sad... both stayed in that position for sometime until avni moved away

Neil:you ok?

Avni: yes...thank you neil she said wiping her tears and smiled

Neil: I'm always here avni dont ever thank me...now come on go and freshen up otherwise you dont want to be all smelly for the whole day right

Avni: that is so rude she said smacking him making neil laugh

Neil:I said a fact

Avni: look who is talking she said rolling her eyes and walked to the washroom while neil smiled slowly that she was ok now

After avni came out neil went to have a shower while avnk got ready

After 20 mins avneil came down and all had wished avni again as she was about to go the kitchen to help out shweta made her sit down and told her she doesnt have to do any work today as today is her birthday

Avni had no choice but to listen to shweta

Neil: I'll get going now he said.

He moved away and was walking towards the door when he got the attention of prakash and gestured towards his watch showing 6 fingers up to which prakash nodded...avni hadnt seen that as her back was facing neil

Prakash: chalo shweta ji I will leave... avni puttar take care he said patting her cheeks

Once prakash had left shweta told avni to be back before 6pm

Avni: why??? what's the plan? She asked curiously as none mentioned about doing anything

Bebe:puttar you will know later on for now just go and be back early so you can get ready on time ok

Avni: ok ok bye I'll see you later she said.

As she reached outside she walked over to the driver to tell her to drop her to work but then saw sahil car entering

Sahil:sorry I got late he said putting the window down when avni walked to him

Avni: I thought you wont be coming to pick me up

Sahil :I can never forget to inform you birthday girl now come on get in the car he said 

Avni told him to wait for a min and walked back to the driver

Avni: ramesh uncle can you come and pick me up at 4pm ...the driver nodded

Avni then walked back to sahil car and got in putting her seatbelt on

Avni:sahil ...bebe and shwetsi told me to get home early so I'll have to leave around 4 at least

Sahil: that is fine avni dont worry.

Avni: thanks sahil everytime you are there on my behalf at the orphanage be it in london or over here

Sahil: I'm always there for you he said smiling as he started the car

Avni:I know you are

Sahil: so what's the plan  for today birthday girl? He said looking at her for few secs and then ahead

Avni: I don't know myself

Sahil:neil hasnt planned anything for you yet? He asked raising an eyebrow

Avni: I dont know...maybe he hasnt due to his work but yes bebe and shweta ma told me to reach home early.

Sahil nodded

Sahil : I understand neil is a cop but he could have taken few hours of atleast ...but what can we say it's his choice right he said looking at avni from the corner of his eyes.

Avni:I have no complaints sahil even if he doesnt plan anything for my birthday I wont be upset..we are back to been friends and what matters to me the most is that he wished me...besides during old days there useto be times when sometimes me and Neil wouldnt do anything for each others birthday yet we still enjoy our time

Sahil: I understand avni after he considers you only a friend and friends do what they feel comfortable in he said

Avni looked at sahil and nodded slowly

Avni: yup just a friend she whispered but sahil heard it and smirked

After sometime both reached to the orphanage and got ready.

Precrap: is the same as previous one

Hey guys here is the next chap of unconditional love

Thank you for the amazing response for the previous chap especially those who commented and voted

Will be waiting for all the comments and votes for this chap so keep them coming

Lots of love